Setting yourself apart.

Forever 21 set: $25

Leg warmers (Wet Seal): $7

Preppy Cats

Outfit for brunch downtown.

Jacket: Goodwill $5  (I found it in the little boys section!)

Top: Cotton On $5

Jeans: American Eagle: $30

Shoes: Keds $20

Total Cost: $60

How are you liking the cat print trend? Love it? Hate it? Let me know in the comments!

Shooting beyond the stars.

Another outfit post! Let me know in the comments if you like these posts.

Tank top: F21 $3

Cardigan: Goodwill $5

Skirt: Urban Outfitters $10

Booties: F21 $10

Necklace: Gift from local designer 

Total Cost of Outfit: $28

Have a great weekend! :)

Transitioning into Fall: Summer Dress

Here is a dress I found at F21 for $23 that I wish I had found earlier in the summer, because I would have worn it everyday. Now that I have it, I want to keep wearing it into the fall.

Love the front cutout!

So I decided to put on an acid wash crop top over the dress. 

Acid wash crop top: F21 $14

Then I added fall pieces: a blazer, a beanie, and some fur-lined booties.

Thrifted blazer: $7
F21 booties: $10

How will you transition into fall?

1 Dress, 6 Ways

1 Dress, 6 Ways by mintgreennarwhal featuring Linea

How to Stay Trendy on a Budget: Shopping on a Budget

These days, we are all trying to buckle down and save some money. Believe it or not, we don't have to sacrifice style. Here are some tips I use when I want to continue looking on-trend on a budget.

How many ways can you wear it?

This is a tip for both when you're shopping and for items you already have in your closet. I think I speak for everyone when I say that we've all been out and have seen a top, dress, skirt, jacket, etc. that we thought would make our lives happier and more complete. However, the price tag is just not what you're looking for, and you're not sure if you should buy it. Here's what you do: think about the items in your closet and see if you can pair it with the new item. Challenge yourself to come up with at least 5 outfits. If you can, then it might be worth it. If you can't, then put it back. 

Do you already have it?

Sometimes, when I buy something, I'll come back home to put it into my closet only to see something in there that's almost the same. Then I get a headache thinking about the drive back to the store and going through the return line. Before you go out to do some damage, really look through your closet to be familiar with what's in there. 

Know what to invest in.

It's great to get high quality pieces, but constantly gathering an entire on-trend wardrobe with high quality pieces can drain your bank account. Invest in quality pieces that are classic, and will remain relevant for at least two years. An example would be a winter coat or a great fitting pair of jeans. For pieces that you only plan on wearing for one season, see if you can find it for a bargain. If you have all day, make it a game to see if you can find what you want for under $10.

Check the sale section first.

I can't remember the last time I went into a store and bought something for its full retail price. I always check the clearance or sale section first to see if I can fill my shopping high for a low price tag. 

Go to your local consignment store.

I love consignment stores because I get to constantly recycle my clothes. I bring in items that I don't wear anymore and sell or trade them in for cash for credit for new clothes. My closet isn't bursting at the seams, and I can constantly wear "new" clothes. My favorite: Crossroads Trading Company.

Check thrift stores.

If you have the time and the patience to sift through some racks, then thrift stores are a great place to find some gems. Most of my closet comes from thrift stores, and I've saved thousands of dollars on things I've been looking for by spending some time in thrift stores. Stay tuned for a "How to go thrifting" post. 

Happy saving!

Goodbye Summer ($50 Challenge!)

Here's a toast to the end of summer, with a tip of the hat to our last heat wave. This was a look I loved over the summer, because it was casual, soft, but put together all at the same time. Also, the entire look was under $40!

Photos courtesy of Todd Fong Photography 
Makeup courtesy of Miracle Amor Artistry 

Top: Brandy Melville $15

Skirt: Forever 21       $7

Booties: Forever 21   $10

Grand Total: $32

Cool, Play, Work

Cool, Play, Work by mintgreennarwhal featuring a khaki hat

I've been wanting a cape for years and have been putting it off because I kept thinking, "What the heck would I wear with a cape?" I thought maybe they were a fun addition to the closet, but I could maybe pair them with one or two pieces that I already owned. The only people I thought who wore capes were superheros, editors-in-chiefs of prominent fashion magazines, and sophisticated fashionistas who enjoyed long walks through the park on crisp autumn afternoons. However, my stubborn longing for my sophisticated, romantic stroll through the park forced me to come up with a more versatile way of viewing this classic wardrobe staple.

Here's one from H&M that I absolutely fell in love with. Cute, sophisticated, and most importantly, affordable!

Cape  $59.95

It's amazing what a cape can do to an outfit. No matter how sloppy or stained your top is that day, throw your cape on right over it, and you suddenly appear effortlessly chic.

Biker Chic

Biker Chic by mintgreennarwhal featuring a sailor jacket

Fall is here! That means pumpkin spiced everything, crunchy dried leaves, and of course, layering on your favorite pieces. This fall, I'm really feeling the leather/faux leather trend. What's better than layering your awesome sweaters and jackets over the perfect pair of leather leggings?!? They are thick enough to keep this California girl warm in below 60 degree weather, while still allowing for my bottom half to look cute. Although I would love to own my very own pair of grey leather moto leggings, my bank account would hate me as a result. So I've scoured the internet in search of the perfect pair. Here are a few cute affordable alternatives that I found:

Urban Outfitters Joni High-Rise Legging $39, on sale for $29!

Guess Dylan Moto Leggings $79
This one's a bit pricey but the leather panels break up the legs beautifully, making your legs look longer and leaner!

Forever 21 Faux Leather Mesh-Trimmed Leggings $15.80

Happy shopping!